Labeling-machine.



No. 787,744. I PATENTED APR. 18,.1905.. F. o. FISHER & P. PERDIUE. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIUN FILED NOV. 14,1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: mtg/7077s l Z3662 CC z'J/ter C. W ferry Ferd/ 66 g 'fi" ATTOHNE No. 787,744. I PATENTED APR. 18,1905.

F. C. FISHER & P. PERDIUE.

' LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14,1903.

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Fred is e1" 9% km Perry Zezdz'ue PATENTEDAPR. 18,1905. F. G. FISHER & P. PBRDIUE, Q

4 LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES Patented April 18, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

LABELING-IVIA'CHIN E.

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,744, dated April 18, 1905.

Application filed November 14, 1903. Serial No. 181,158.

To (all whom, it 777,07] concern:

One object of our invention is to automat- I ically feed the article to be labeled across a suitable gum-applying device, whereby it receives a strip of gum at the portion where the ends of the'label come, and thereupon to pass the gummed article into engagement with a label that will be thereby caused to be wrapped around the article, with the ends of the label lying at said gummed portion.

A further object of our invention is to provide means that will cause the label to have one end portion overlap the other end of the label, which overlapping portion will be properly gummed by the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a labeling-machine wherein a cylindrical receptacle moves in a circular pathby a rolling motion and means for adjusting one of the opposite side members constituting the raceway through which the receptacle moves.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic means for feeding the labels up to a suitable aperture in the pathway of the article, where they are applied to the same.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved form of gum-applying means that can be readily adjusted for various sizes of labels to be applied.

lVith these objects in view and others our invention comprehends the construction, arrangement, and combinations of parts substantially as hereinafter set forth and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

- in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 18 a plan view of a machine embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the label-feeding mechanism. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the raceway where the labels are applied to the article. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the gum-applying means, and Fig. 6 is a detail-view of the gum-applying rollers and their supporting means.

Referring now to the several views, 12 designates' a table supported by suitable legs 13.

The table is substantially annular, with the front portion broken away. On this table is mounted a substantially circular raceway concentric with the table, the outer wall of the raceway being constituted by a curved plate 14, having its front ends 15 made flaring to assist in feeding the can or other receptacle into the raceway. The plate 14 is adjustably supported at a number of places throughout its length by a series of adjustable means each comprising an upright post 16, having a hand-screw 17 rotated therein, but prevented from moving endwise in its bearing, the screw being operated by a suitable handwheel 18. A link 19 has a threaded aperture at one end engaging the screw 17 while the other end of they link is pivotally connected with the plate 14. In order to secure the guide-plate 14 when adjusted by said means, we provide a slotted arm 20, secured to the plate 14 in proximity to the said adjusting means, and a clamping-screw 21 passing through the slot in the arm and screwed into the table 12. The inner wall or guide member of the raceway is constituted by the periphery of a wheel 22, revoluble in a horizontal plane and attached to a shaft 23. wheel 22 is preferably provided with a rubber tire 22, and the opposite face of the plate 14 is lined with a layer of rubber 14 in order to prevent undue strain on the can. The shaft 23 is revolubly supported in a head 24 on the end of a lever 25, the outer end of which is bolted to the table at 26.

From the above it will be apparent that if a can or any other cylindrical receptacle is placed inthe raceway between the wheel and the plate and the wheel is rotated the can will be caused to traverse the raceway by a The periphery of the by a lamp-box 47.

rolling motion. In order to facilitate the feeding of the cans into the raceway, we provide a disk 27, the shaft of which (not shown) is rotatably mounted in a head 28 on the middle of a cross-arm 29, bolted across the under front portion of the table 12. The disk 27 is rotated at the same angular velocity as the wheel 22, through the medium of a sprocketchain 30, connecting with a gear 31, secured on the shaft of and above the disk 27, which chain also engages a gear 32 on the shaft 23. Upon the rotation of the disk 27 and the wheel 22, as indicated by the arrows, a can, bottle, or the like placed on the disk will be caused to enter the raceway and pass around it and thereupon be fed on to the disk again, as will be readily understood. Our preferred means for rotating the disk and wheel comprises a bevel-gear 33 on the lower end of the shaft carrying the disk 27, which gear engages a bevel-gear 34 on the end of the main driving-shaft 35, rotated from any suitable source of power by a belt-pulley 36, or if desired to drive the machine by an operator power may be imparted to the main shaft from a hand-wheel 37 or else from a suitable crank and treadle device 38 in the usual Well-known manner. As soon as the can is fed into the machine a short distance it is brought opposite a portion of the plate 14 containing the apertures 39 40;

(Best shown in Fig. 6.) A pair of rollers 41 42 are secured to a spindle 43, mounted at one end to revolve in an adjustable bar 44 and at the other end in an adjustable bar 45, by which means the rollers are supported to project a very short distance through the, slots into the path of movement of the can and are adjustable in the direction of the line of movement of the can, These rollers are provided with a covering of felt or other suitable absorbent fabric in order to retain and transfer gum to the can. The gum or other adhesive is contained in a suitable receptacle 46, that may be maintained at a suitable temperature A disk 48v has its shaft 48*,revoluble in suitable bearings 49 beneath the table, which disk has its lower portion revolving in the vessel or receptacle 46, while its upper portion is in contact with the gumming-rollers 41 42; The disk is revolved from the main shaft 35 by a belt 50, passing over a sheave 51, connected with the shaft 48, the belt also passing over a sheave 52 on the main shaft 35. By this means the adhesive will be constantly applied to the rollers 41 42 during the operation of the machine, and also the rollers will be revolved, so as to present a moving gummed surface to the can when passing the said apertures 39 40. After'the can has passed the said gumming means it shortly arrives at the portion of the plate 14 containing the aperture 53, at which place the labels are presented for attachment to the can. The upper edge of this aperture is made adjustable to provide for different widths of labels in order to accommodate different-sized cans or receptacles. This adjustment is effected by means of a strip 54, vertically adjustable through the medium of slotted arms 55 55, bolted to the plate 14. When the labels are fed up to this aperture by the means hereinafter described, they are prevented from passing through the same by means of a series of small sharp prongs or points 56, secured to the strip 54 and also to the lower portion 57 of the plate 14 at the bottom of said opening. While these prongs prevent the labels being forced through the opening where the label is pasted on the can, they will permit the label to be fed through the opening by causing a small cut or rupture of the label that will not mar its appearance.

The gumming-rollers 41 42 are so propor tioned and arranged that on the can being fed past them they will gum it for a distance suficient to secure one end portion of the label to the can and also a part of the other end portion of the label. Now the position of the gumming-rollers relative to the position of the labels in the path of the can is so disposed that upon the can being brought to the label the end of the outer label, or the one presented at the opening, will thereupon be brought into contact with about one-half only of said gummed strip, circumferentially considered. This will cause the end of the label to closely adhere to the can, whereupon a further advancement of the can will cause the label to be wrapped around the can and drawn through the aperture by its being slightly out where retained by the prongs; but in order to provide a simple and effective means for gumming the other end of the label that is intended to overlap the end first applied we provide a slender wire 58, extending vertically across the opening 53, as indicated in Fig. 4. In operation when the label shall have been wrapped partly around the can and withdrawn through the opening 53 until it strikes the wire 58 a further rotation of the can will cause the remaining end portion of the label to be moved in a direction lengthwise of the opening 53 and around the wire 58. This operation will have the effect of exposing the advanced or overlapping end portion of the succeeding label, and at this stage of the movement the portion of the can gummed, but not engaged by the other end of the label, will be brought into contact with this exposed end of the succeeding label, and by this means it will be seen that although the first label may not be properly applied by having its overlapping end not gummed all of the succeeding labels will have their overlapping ends supplied with gum, so they will be properly applied to the can. It will be understood that at the final passage of the can past the opening 53 the portion of the label adjacent to the overlapping portion will be applied at the said gummed portion of the can not already covered by the first applied end of the label. Any preferred means may be used for advancing a pile of labels toward said opening 53. Our preferred means comprises two or more follower-plates 59, each connected by a link with a rod 61, that slides in an aperture in one of the posts 16 and in a sleeve 61, integral with said post. other end of the rod 61 carries a pulley 62, around which passes a cord having one end secured to the post 16 and the other end passing around a guide-pulley 63, supported by an arm connected with the post, and the free end of the cord is attached to a suitable weight 64. It will be obvious that this weight will have the effect of moving the followerplates forward toward the opening 53 and causing the labels to be brought into engagement with the prongs as fast as the labels are attached to the can.

' A number of slotted bars are secured to the portion 57 of the plate 14 at the lower portion of the slot or opening 53 and are bolted to the table 12 through said slots, so as to admit of the adjustment of the plate 14 radially.

Upon the can having had the lable applied thereto as above described the rotation of the wheel 22 will cause the can to traverse the remaining portion of its path, by which means the label will be effectually secured to the can.

When the upright plate "14 and the gumming rollers secured thereto are adjusted to or from the wheel 22, this movement will necessitate the adjustment of the gum-applying disk 48. This adjustment we preferably effect by loosening the disk 48 on its shaft 48 and also the driving-wheel 51 on the same shaft. hen the gummingrollers have been adjusted, the disk is brought into engagement with the rollers, and then both the disk and driving-wheel are again clamped to the shaft 48.

A small space is left between the rollers 41 and 42, which will cause a corresponding space to be left ungummed. It is at this latter space that the rubber tire of the actuating-wheel 22 engages the can or bottle. Hence the tire will not be smeared with the gum, that would act somewhat as a lubricant and interfere with the moving of the cans by the wheel.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a labeling-machine, the combination with means for advancing a can, and means for applying adhesive material to the can, of means for successively presenting labels to the can, and means for exposing to the coated can a portion of the label next succeeding the one being affixed.

2. In a labeling-machine, acurved raceway having one member rotatable and presenting a moving surface around the raceway, whereby to advance the articles and also rotate them The on their axes, means for applying adhesive material to the article, and a feed mechanism comprising a rotatable table, the opposite sides of which respectively move adjacent to the receiving and discharging portions of the raceway.

3. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table having a curved and vertical plate secured thereto, a wheel revolving at a fixed distance opposite said plate, thereby forming an approximately circular raceway, the said plate having an opening therein, gumming means arranged at said opening and projected therethrough, said plate having a second opening in advance of said first-named opening, means for feeding the labels successively at said second opening, and means at said second opening in the plate for preventing said labels from being forced therethrough by said feeding means, said latter means being also arranged to permit the labels to pass through said opening when the gummed can is caused to move past said opening by said movable member, said gumming means being disposed relatively to said label feeding means, to thereby gum the article at a fractional portion of its periphery, which portion will be partially engaged by the end of the label. 1

4. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table having a curved and vertical plate secured thereto, a wheel revolving at a fixed distance opposite said plate, thereby forming an approximately circular raceway, the said plate having an opening therein, gumming means arranged at said opening and projected therethrough, said plate having asecond opening in advance of said first-named opening, means for feeding the labels successively at said second opening, and means at said second opening in the plate for preventing said labels from being forced therethrough by said feeding means,.said latter means being also arranged to permit the labels to pass through said opening when the gummed can is caused to move past said opening by said movable member, said gumming means being disposed relatively to said label feeding means, to thereby gum the article at a fractional portion of its periphery, which portion will be partially engaged by the end of the label, said gumming and labeling means being also arranged so that the other end of the label will be brought into engagement with the remaining part of said gummed portion. 5. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table having a curved and vertical plate secured thereto, a wheel revolving at a fixed distance opposite said plate, thereby forming an approximately circular raceway, the said plate having an opening therein, gumming means arranged at said opening and projected therethrough, said plate having a second opening in advance of said first-named opening, means for feeding the labels successively at said second opening, means at said second opening in the plate for preventing said labels from being forced therethrough by said feeding means, said latter means being also arranged to permit the labels to pass through said opening when the gummed can is caused to move past said opening by said movable member, said gumming means being disposed relatively to said label feeding means, to thereby gum the article at a fractional portion of its periphery, which portion will be partially engaged by the end of the label, and means for causing said gummed portion of the article to apply gum to the finally-applied end portion of the succeeding label.

6. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, an upright plate on said table disposed in a portion of a circle, a wheel arranged to rotate concentric with said circular plate, and of less diameter than said plate, means for adjusting said plate to and from the periphery of the said wheel, said means comprising a plurality of radially-disposed devices each composed of an upright post secured to the plate, a screw-rod rotatable in said post, and a link pivotally connected with the plate, said link having a threaded aperture at its other end in which said rod is threaded.

7. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, an upright plate on said table disposed in a portion of a circle, a wheel arranged to rotate concentric with said circular plate, and of less diameter than said plate, means for adjusting said plate to and from the periphery of the said wheel, said means comprising a plurality of radially-disposed devices each composed of an upright post secured to the plate, a screw-rod rotatable in said post, a link pivotally connected with the plate, said link having a threaded aperture at its other end in which said rod is threaded, a slotted arm secured to the plate in proximity to saidlink attachment, and a bolt passing through said slotted arm and tapped into said plate.

8. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, an upright plate on said table disposed in a portion of a circle, a revoluble wheel concentric with said circle and of less diameter than said plate, and a revoluble disk arranged at the end of said upright plate, with its face in the same plane as the face of the table in proximity to said upright plate.

9. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, an upright plate on said table disposed in aportion of acirele, a revoluble wheel concentric with said circle and of less diameter than said plate, a revoluble disk arranged at the end of said upright plate, with its face in the same plane as the face of the table in proximity to said upright plate, and means for revolving said disk from said wheel.

10. The combination with a raceway formed by an upright plate, a table and a can-actuating means, of gum-applying rollers arranged to rotate with their peripheries projected slightly through said plate into said raceway,

and means for adjusting said rollers along said plate in the path of movement of the article through the raceway.

11. The combination with a raceway formed by an upright plate, a table and a can-actuating means, the said plate having an opening therein, of one or more gum-applying rollers arranged to rotate with their peripheries projected slightly through said opening into said raceway, means for adjusting said rollers along said plate in the path of movement of the article through the raceway, means for adjusting said plate to and from said canmoving means, a receptacle for gum, a rotatable disk arranged to rotate with one portion in said receptacle and another portion in contact with said rollers, abearing for said disk secured to the under side of the table, and means for adjusting the disk to compensate for the adjustment of the said upright plate and rollers.

12. In a labeling-machine, the combination with a table having an upright plate thereon and a means for moving the article along the table and in contact with said plate, said plate having an opening therein, of means for feeding labels successively up to said opening in the plate, and a plurality of small prongs disposed on the plate at the upper and lower edges of said opening and arranged to prevent the labels being forced through the opening by said feeding means, but permitting the labels to be drawn through the opening when...

venting the articles being passed through said opening by said feeding means, said prevent ing means being arranged to permit the label to be drawn through said opening when in engagement with the article, and a wire arranged transversely of said opening near the advanced end portion thereof.

14:. In a device of the character described, the combination with a table, and a stationary vertical plate on the table and having an aperture at which the labels are fed, of a post secured to the table opposite said aperture, a bar slidable in said post, a follower-plate connected with said bar and thereby movable to and from the opening in the plate, and a cord and weight arranged for causing the followerplate to feed the labels up to said opening.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of a table, an upright plate thereon having an opening therein, a pair of rollers rotatable on an axis parallel with said plate and projecting through said opening, the rollers being disposed a short distance apart,

and a member movable opposite said plate,

and having an article-engaging face located opposite the said space intermediate the rollers.

16. In a labeling-machine, the combination with a curved plate, and a revoluble member forming with the plate an approximately circular raceway for a can or the like and in which the can is caused to traverse by said movable member, of spaced rollers projecting through the plate for applying an adhesive material to the article in stripes, as and for the purpose set forth.

17 In a labeling-machine, the combination with a curved vertical plate, provided with openings. and a wheel mounted to revolve opposite the said plate and forming therewith an approximately circular raceway for a can or the like and in which the can is caused to traverse by said wheel, of a pair of rollers mounted on the plate at the openings thereof, and projecting through said openings, said rollers being spaced apart and adapted to apply an adhesive material to the article in stripes.

18. In a labeling-machine, the combination with a table, a curved vertical plate on the table and having openings therein, and a wheel mounted to revolve opposite said plate to form an approximately circular raceway, of rollers mounted at the openings of the plate and projecting through said openings, a receptacle for containing an adhesive material arranged below the table, and a disk mounted to revolve in the receptacle and in contact with the said rollers.

19. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, a curved vertical plate provided with openings, a strip adjustably secured to the plate at the opening and forming the upper edge of the same, a wheel mounted to revolve opposite the plate and forming therewith a raceway, means for applying an adhesive material to the article, and means for feeding labels to the opening of the plate.

20. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a table, a vertical plate on the table, a movable member opposite the plate and forming therewith a raceway, means for applying gum to the article, said plate having an opening beyond the gumming means, and a wire extending vertically across the opening near one end thereof.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED C. FISHER. PERRY PERDIUE.

Witnesses:

FLOYD O. HUTCHINGS, MARTIN FUNK. 

